2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion | Official: Sundin & Chayka to lead front office

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2117342350628331836

What a difference a year and new coaching makes

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Saw a media guess that Groulx was waived to make room for Tavares
It was a questionable guess because they have enough cap and roster space for Tavares who has only been on IR. Maybe one of the injured dmen is close ...

Tavares skated on his own before practice but not with the main group. That puts him still probably at least a week away from returning. None of the other injured players have been on the ice per media reports, so they wouldn't be close at all.

The Leafs also have already opened up a roster spot by sending McWard down. If/when Groulx goes down (or maybe gets claimed) they'd have two roster spots open to use up.

I'd assume the explanation for Groulx here is just the simplest one: he hasn't done anything worthy of really keeping his roster spot. Maybe they'll look to give Brisson or Raty a chance while there's still a forward role up for grabs.

Also with a back to back situation coming up this weekend I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs call up Akhtyamov to back up again, even if both games are at home this time. So obviously a roster spot would be needed for that.